Aster Michaelmas Daisy.
It must be very confusing to the amateur gardener when, as in this case, he finds that the same name is given to two completely different cultivars, totally different, that is, in general appearance.

If it is of any help he may care to know that botanically they are very much alike. The large flowered bedding type Aster chiefly grown for displays in parks and gardens is a totally different plant from the Hardy Border Aster or Michaelmas Daisy. The Hardy Border Aster will reach a height of 6 feet and can be used for cut flower production.

The Aster Michaelmas Daisy is a perennial and for the moment we will deal with that type. A charming flower name, and one to be thankful for. This is one of those rare cases where the popular name is of value, and serves to clear up the muddle created by the botanist.

Usually it is the other way about as, for instance, in the case of the name €lily€, which is applied indiscriminately to at least a 20 totally dissimilar plants.

During September and October and even into November, the Hardy Border Michaelmas Daisies are simply invaluable. They are perfectly easy to grow if planted in well-cultivated soil.

The only thing that is likely to cause a problem to the grower is the choice of Hardy Border Aster varieties, and there is such a multitude number of sections and such a monumental list of sorts that to make a selection is not at all an easy matter.
Some of the best varieties are:->

Aster Michaelmas Daisy amellus Rudolph Goethe-deep lavender blue flowers heads. Height 30in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' amellus. Sonia-light pink flower heads. Height 30in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' amellus. Veilchenkonigin-violet purple heads. Height 30in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' dumosus. Alice Haslam-rose red flower heads. Height 12in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' dumosus. Jenny-double red purple flower heads. Height 15in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' dumosus. Kristina-large-semi-double white flowers. Height 15in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' dumosus. Lady in Blue-soft blue flowers. Height 12in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' dumosus. Prof. Anton Kippenburg-mid-blue flower heads. Height 16in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' dumosus. Rosenwichtel-deep pink flower heads. Height 16in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' dumosus. Starlight-red semi-double flower heads. Height 15in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' frikartii. Jungfrau-long lasting blue flower heads on strong stems. Height 35in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' frikartii. Monch-clear lavender blue flower heads on long stems. Height 35in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' laterifolius. Lady in black-white flowers against red brown foliage. Height 60in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' laterifolius. Prince-black stems and foliage, masses of tiny white flowers with pink centres. Height 30in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-angl. Andenken an Alma Potschke-bright salmon-pink flower heads. Height 60in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-angl. Barr's Pink-semi-double, bright rose pink flowers. Height 65in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-angl. Purple Dome-double purple flower heads. Height 30in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-belgii. Fellowship-large pure pink flower heads. Height 50in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-belgii. Marie Ballard-double blue flower heads. Height 50in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-belgii. Sarah Ballard-dark pink flower heads. Height 45in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-belgii. White Ladies-white flower heads. Height 45in.

Aster €Michaelmas Daisy' nov.-belgii. Winston Churchill-pure carmine red flower heads. Height 45in.

The varieties listed above are the very best to grow at the moment, we have grown them all and they all produce masses of flower, which can also be cut for home decoration.

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